Logical Reasoning

PT113 · S2 · Q9 Psychologist: Although studies of young

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Psychologist: Although studies of young children have revealed important facts about the influence of the environment on language acquisition, it is clear that one cannot attribute such acquisition solely to environmental influences: innate mechanisms also play a role.

Setup Ideas

You can't attribute the acquisition of language solely on environmental influences (though such influences do exist).

Innate mechanisms also play a role in the acquisition of language.

Conclusion (So)

The most reasonable question for us to study then, is ...

Evaluate / Goal

We need a logical, safely-worded conclusion that would tie together the two ideas we've heard: 1. language acquisition is influenced by environment 2. language acquisition is influenced by innate mechanisms.

It's hard to predict exactly what question will go in the blank, but it should be something that blends these two influences, like ...

?

9.

Which one of the following most logically completes the passage?

  1. language acquisition can ever be

    Too Strong: can never be explained

    This sounds like too fatalistic a question: "Sigh, so if it's a mix of both environmental and innate factors, then can we really ever fully explain it?" Law school applications are a mix of GPA and LSAT factors. Does that leave us helpless to ever fully explain law school applications?

    3% picked this

  2. innate mechanisms are a contributing

    Already Stated

    The author just told us that innate mechanisms are a contributing factor. She said "innate mechanisms also play a role in language acquisition". It would be silly to say, "Ben is a fan of hockey. So, the most reasonable question that ought to be studied is whether Ben likes hockey."

    18% picked this

  3. language acquisition is solely the

    Contradicted / Too Strong: solely

    The first sentence says that we have revealed facts about the influence of environment on language acquisition. The author is saying that environment isn't the only influence, but it's definitely still an influence. So it's contradictory to say that language acquisition is only influenced by innate mechanisms.

    2% picked this

  4. parents and peers are the

    Too Strong: the most

    We would have been happy with an open question like, "Whether environmental or innate influences are the more important" But there's no reason we'd expect this paragraph to be leading to a very specific question about whether two types of environmental influences (parents and peers) are the most important influence.

    1% picked this

  5. Correct

    innate mechanisms play a more

    Why this is right

    The two setup thoughts were, - environment plays a role in language acquisition - innate mechanisms also play a role This question is a safely worded blend of the two. We know that language acquisition is a blend of these two types of influence, so let's study which one plays a bigger role.

    Skill tested: Most Supported · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

    77% picked this

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